It may take a little digging but you can find many non-horse-specific barn incidentals at your local dollar store—or other discounters—that can do the job and save you a significant amount of money in the long run. So here’s our list—start with these items and then see what else you can find!

· A long-handled toilet scrub brush, well-suited for cleaning water buckets and troughs.

· A slotted litter scoop to remove debris from water troughs. We briefly considered a child’s toy butterfly net, but it appeared too flimsy to stand up to the rigors of barn use.

· An extra-large mesh utility bag for storing dirty saddle pads, towels, bandages or other barn gear in need of washing.

· A 60-ounce bottle of bleach, which when properly diluted can disinfect everything from brushes to buckets.

· A short-bristled broom to sweep out the feed room or tack room. It’s also a good size to keep in the trailer.

· Scissors, for cutting twine, feed bags, or adhesive wrap.

· A three-pack of bungee cords to secure box fans over stalls or to secure water buckets.

· A flashlight for nighttime barn duties or work in dark haylofts or other windowless areas. We also picked up a four-pack of batteries to power the flashlight.

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